Manga from the US Military

Via Japan Probe, the U.S. Navy has created a manga to help foster cultural understanding on the eve of the arrival of the USS George Washington in Japan. There has been a spate of highly publicized crimes by US servicemen recently, as well as some local protests against having a nuclear vessel permanently stationed in Yokosuka. I guess the Navy felt something was necessary to ease tensions with its host country.

The manga, available in English as a PDF, follows a half Japanese sailor on his first assignment to the George Washington, and his first trip to Japan. It's well done, using humor and depictions of everyday life on board the carrier to humanize sailors. The characters have a deep respect for Japanese culture, and take classes to learn more about Japan. Towards the end the protagonist visits his Japanese grandparents for the first time, emphasizing the close cultural ties between the US and Japan.

I think it's a brilliant move. Not only does it embrace one of Japan's cultural institutions, but the manga format can convey a lot of information yet still be quickly consumed. And it's entertaining as well!